I can't seem to get motivated...

I've been a diabetic since I first started high school. Before I was even ten years old, I had spent my summer with my grandmother and went back home overweight. And ever since then, its so hard to get rid of the weight. I don't have the motivation. I've lost 15-20 pounds since last september. But my diet still isn't the best. My parents and grandmother don't allow me to eat the foods I love anymore. Not even hummus. But the way I have been eating hasn't made me gain any weight. I do want to lose weight, I just don't like going to the gym. I love being outside. Now my family have made me feel so overwhelmed with everything. I have to have 45 carbs per meal. And 15 carbs per snack. My dad shows me pictures that scare me. And scaring me hasn't gotten me motivated whatsoever. When I get overwhelmed, I feel stressed and I just eat more and drown out the world with music. I don't know what to do. I'm only 20 years old. I am getting more active. I babysit and I walk a lot.

9 replies

Well, becca I would have to agree with nick. Just do it and try it. You're young and it's for your best interest. I was just diagnosed Mar 2012. I'm not an exercise person but I have to tell you. I started just walking 17 minutes a day and I timed myself. Then the following week I did the same 17 minutes but walking a bit faster. The third week I was brisk walking and by week four i was jogging with the same 17 minutes. Building the stamina I needed (with music of course) to be encourage to join Zumba. Since diagnosed I went from A1C 7.4 to 6.1 in nine months. I lost 15 lbs once I started walking. So be encouraged. I deal with depression so I know first hand it takes effort and desire.

You said something here that I often did – “drown out the world with music”. I’m a music freak and if I don’t spend at least 2-3 hours a week actively listening I feel like my week isn’t complete. Music really is a stress reducer, a way to get away, and takes your mind of things. I used to sit in front of the stereo (who has those anymore?) with my headphones on snacking late saturday nights. Now I make that time with my headphones on/in my exercise time. I just crank up the tunes and go for a walk. Sometimes I’m so tuned out I forget that I’ve gone over my hour for the day. If I can do it outside, I sometimes tailor my playlist to the route. Just a thought.